Cruelty and Kindness

What is retribution,

If not a never-ending cycle of revenge?

They say it is a penalty inflicted out of vengeance for a wrong act,

But they also say two wrongs don’t make a right.

So, can revenge ever reach completion,

Or will the whole world turn blind?

Who deserves retribution,

If not everyone for every wrong they’ve ever done?

Is it reserved for the homophobes, the racists, the liars, the cheats?

Or does it extend to the lazy, the manipulative, the privileged, and the foolish?

Does it even target the lucky?

Who determines retribution,

If it no longer exists solely with lawmakers?

If we now encourage others to design and enact their own form of retaliation,

And as a public judge whether it was fair,

Is it still retribution if we then punish the offender we helped create?

What is retribution,

If not cruelty extended,

Stretched out and continued long after the original offence?

And do you really believe petty revenge could hurt that type of crook?

No, the cruellest gift the Good bestow upon the Evil is time.

Time is the enemy of unhappy people.

You killed Jesus!

Fat man berates another bus traveller

“Hey,” the man inquired “are you a Jew?”

“Guilty as charged,” Rossen smiled faintly and returned to his newspaper.

“You ashamed of it?” the man asked

“Didn’t have much choice,” Rossen shrugged and wondered if he should leap out at the next stop.

“Ya look Jewish,” the man sniffed.

“How depressing,” Rossen joked “you make it sound like the Innsmouth look.”

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June 2024 Task

HOMEWORK for deadline Thursday midnight, 20.06.24.

TASK: ‘Retribution’. Write 500 words or fewer about ‘retribution’. Your story title isn’t included in the 500 words.

Homework to be in by midnight, Thursday 20th June 2024. Use the contact form or email Pat O’Connor directly.

Meeting at 1.30pm, Sunday 23.06.24, Discovery Room, 1st floor, Central library. Finish at 3.30pm.

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